Prop question
 

Hello all! This picture is of my Sundowner 36 prop area. I put the prop adaptor, prop, prop cone on and tightened everything up but one problem.....its rubbing the cowling. I tried to get the prop adaptor off but its on there very tight and I do not want to damage the cowling trying to get it off. Any ideas on how to go about this? Thanks!

RE: Prop question
 

Well the picture did not upload properly so hopefully I explained it well enough. It's the eflite power 32 motor with the 5mm prop adaptor

RE: Prop question
 

Loosen the cone by about 1/8" or so, but do not remove it. Better yet, remove it, take the prop off and replace the cone.

Now, hold the back of the prop adapter with a pair of pliers and tap the cone toward the engine.

That should loosen the collet and allow you to pull the adapter forward.

RE: Prop question
 

I sure wish the motor manufacturers would standardize their prop mounts and create a tool that will act as a prop mount wrench to hold the prop hub immobile when loosening or screwing on the prop nut.

This is one of those "why hasn't anyone done this?" things I run into every time I go to put on or remove an electric prop.

RE: Prop question
 

Thanks for the reply's MinnFlyer and Opjose.....I did manage to remove the collet prop mount but not before lots of frustration. I hear you Opjose!

RE: Prop question
 

All you need to do is hold one side of the prop and gently nip the prop nut up for lectric mostly.The engine manufacturers/warrenty people have already seen enough stripped threads to last them a lifetime.Aav if you let the engine run enough it will create it's own clearance re spinner backplate and cowl:)

RE: Prop question
 

Most prop adapters (that I have used) have a set of flats for holding with a wrench. The problem is, very often the prop adapter is partially inside a cowl, so the flats are usually inaccessible anyway.

It's just one of those things - It's not perfect, but it's the best way to do it.

RE: Prop question
 

I've seen one Chinese manufacturer that makes a special very thin wrench that locks into the prop hub's outer edges of a particular brand of motors.

It is thin enough to fit between the space between a spinner and the cowl.

Very neat.

That gave me the idea to try a bike wrench I have that is similiar. This worked perfectly for a fairly large electric motor I own.

It would be somewhat easy to manufacture a flat adjustable wrench, with "C" arms thin enough to do the same for engines of different sizes... and grab each side of the prop hub to immobilize it.

Sell it for $20.00 and all of the electric flyers I know would buy one.

"why hasn't anyone done this?"

RE: Prop question
 

Well? Why haven't you done it? :D

RE: Prop question
 

You sound like my wife! :D

RE: Prop question
 

Ouch, you're right. I apologize :D